Who's Who in the Cast - Lead
LIGAYA RABAGO
Ligaya Rabago, also known as "Ms. Gaying" is a Professor from the College of Communication, Art and Design of the University of the Philippines Cebu. She teaches Arts , Wika and Theater and also is the Artistic Adviser of U.P. Students' Theater Arts Guild for Education ( UPSTAGE ). She has undergone intensive trainings in acting, directing, music, movements, cultural management and production and film from the Philippine Educational Theater Association ( PETA) Cultural Center of the Philippines ( CCP ) and from the International Academy of Film and Television ( IAFT - Bigfoot ). She is also a Columnist in a local newspaper in Cebu, The Freeman.
Throughout the years, she has conducted many different acting workshops in theater and film, has been invited to various theater and film competitions to judge. She has also represented the Philippines in several cultural and film exhibitions and festivals in Bucheon World Intangible Cultural Expo in South Korea, in Jogjakharta Indonesia, Silkroad International Film Festival in Fuzhou China, in Amsterdam, in Finland and in Munich Germany. Ms. Gaying is also a stage, television, commercial and multi awarded film best actress in local, national and international film festivals.
Her films include " Sanctissima " with Chai Fonacier directed by Kenneth Dagatan, " Swap " with Mon Confiado, RK Bagatsing and "Lunchbox" with Dione Monsanto directed by Remton Zuasola.
" Lily" with Shaina Magdayao directed by Keith Deligero. " Si Chedeng, si Apple at LV" with Gloria Diaz and Elizabeth Oropesa directed by Fatrick Tabada and Rai Red. " Patay na si Jesus " with Jaclyn Jose and Chai Fonacier and " Purya Gaba " directed by Victor Villanueva. She has also appeared in " Magbuwag Ta Kay " with Roel Ukat a.k.a. Medyo Maldito and "Tigbaid" directed by Janice Perez, " Di Ingon Nato " with Rez Cortez and Mercedes Cabral directed by Brandon Relucio and Ivan Zaldarriaga, " Milagros " and " Sa Tuong Kamot " directed by Januar Yap. She also starred in " Bugti " , " Huni " and "Tunob" directed by Roldan "Manong Danz" Ardines. She appears in " Igsuon " and "Habak" directed by Christian Paolo Lat, " Bluetooth " directed by Brian Brusas, " Rayna sa Pamilya " and " Who am I " CCTN Lenten Teledrama Series directed by Sam Costanilla. She also was in " Lakaw " directed by Martina Espanya, " Bakunawa" directed by Raymund Humphries and "Kwerdas" directed by Chloe Veloso.
She also made International film appearances, namely: "100 Yards" acted as the nun directress in an orphanage with Hollywood and Malaysian actors and directors, And " Almost Paradise Season 1 " an American TV Series via NETFLIX as a Shaman. For theatre musicals and Stage plays she appeared in " Mga Dula sa Pagtuo : Silang Mitaliwan Na " directed by Monsignor Agustin Ancajas, as mother of the Blessed "San Lorenzo Ruiz the Musical", and most recently in the "Path to Avalon King Arthur the Musical " as Vivienne or the Lady of the Lake. She has also directed UPSTAGE's annual theatre productions such as " Ang Papeles ", " Sa Ngalan sa Amahan ", and " Sul'og sa Gugma (Tulo- tulo sa Marso). She also directed Jollibee's Kiddies’ “The Mountain of Bliss ".
Ms. Gaying is also a stage director, choreographer, dancer and a film critic.
SHIM DAGATAN
Shim is a 28-year old singer/actor from Danao City, Cebu. He finished 4th place on his first ever singing competition, Sinulog Idol Season 10 last 2019, which also opened acting opportunities for him. Since then, he has been guest singing in different events, and got the lead role for ABS-CBN MOR Anniversary Special short film, "Bhadz ug Cheche" and another lead role for the short film,"Panihapon", an entry for Cinespectra Short Film Festival. He also just recently won as 1st placer of Danao's Sidlak Singing Idol 2022. "The Path to Avalon: King Arthur the Musical" will be his first ever theater production and also his first time performing in a musical.
FELMAR BRUCES
Felmar is a 20-year-old multi-talented performer, theater actor, model, visual artist, and brand ambassador. Since he was young, he has displayed an aptitude for the arts and an ability to think creatively. He was formerly a part of both choir and an Alumni Dance Troupe member. He won prizes in competitions at an early age and acted in short films. At age 9, he began performing and acting. He made an appearance in the Sunlife Foundation documentary "Dekada," where he advocates education and traveled to Manila as one of their 10 bright faces. When he's bored, he enjoys drawing portraits in addition to his love of music and dance. He recently made a brief appearance in Almost Paradise season 2, which is now under production. His current project with Alba Music Productions is the upcoming The Path to Avalon: King Arthur the Musical.
MA. SHAINA MAHIPOS
Shaina's love for performing and visual arts began during early childhood. Her passion for theater was first sparked by her participation in school-based competition plays where she performed in Annie, Sister Act, and Sound of Music and journalism-radio broadcasting. As she kept pursuing her love for it, she had the opportunity to participate in the Bantawan Festival Drama Competition, where they won as the first placer. She deemed it a privilege to have participated in the Cebuano musical plays "Pagpadayon," which tells the Nativity narrative, and "Tanghaga," which tells the San Lorenzo Ruiz story. In her years of public service as a Sangguniang Kabataan Councilor in Barangay Tisa, she continued to share her love for theater and visual arts through graphic designs for social media postings and encourage young people to discover their talents.
IOHANNI MARIE BELTRAN
Hanni is a 22 year old 4th year Aircraft maintenance technology student. Being born in a family of musicians, she was introduced to music at a young age. She started singing very early and had voice lessons from time to time. She started performing by 2011 together with her older sister and other talented Cebuano artists. She joined the Cebu Normal University Children and Youth Choir during her junior high school years and competed nationally, including the National Music Competitions for Young Artists (NAMCYA), and internationally together with her choir members headed by Sir Nino Bañares. She also learned various musical instruments before settling to playing the Viola. She joined the Classic Orchestra Music Studio (COMS) Ensemble with her younger sister back in 2014, and was a former active member of the Classic Youth Orchestra. She also enjoys dancing and was a member of the DBTC Greywolves Dance Troupe in Senior High School. She doesn't really join singing competitions but had the chance to represent DBTC - Inc. in 2018 during the CESAFI Vocal Solo Competition College Division. She was lucky enough to be given the Bronze award despite the technical issues she had encountered while singing. Because of her passion for performing, she was awarded with a special award for performing arts by her school as soon as she graduated. She developed her love for theatre and arts while growing up seeing her older sister perform and family guiding and supporting her. Her last production was the Song of Bernadette The Musical in 2017 and 2018 and she played the role of the Blessed Virgin Mary. She is now a classical soprano soloist who not only performs in Cebu but also outside. She is also an active member of the Sacred Heart Parish Grand Choir. She was one of the singers who sang the official theme song and mission song for the celebration of the 500 Years of Christianity in the Philippines. Aside from the aforementioned, she is also a model, an artist who sketches and paints, and the reigning Miss Cebu Aero 2019. The Path to avalon is her 2nd musical.
GENREID ESTRADA
Genreid is fairly new to the bright and dazzling life of theatre. He has been performing, however, for numerous years. He started out as a Tenor for his university choir, Holy Name University Chorale, back in 2017. He had been performing with the choir for many years up until he left the group in 2020. He fell in love with musical theatre during the Pandemic, where-in he would watch and listen to Broadway shows and soundtracks to pass the time during the lockdown. Months later, he started to audition for theatrical plays in Cebu. He got his first break with 2020's Annie the Musical by Vaudeville Theatre Company as his first-time experience in a proper theatre production. The Path to Avalon is merely his second experience in a production and will be his first time playing a lead role for a musical.
LUKE TIMOTHY BASCARA
Timothy is a 27 year old, currently a 4th year Education Student, and a novice theater actor. His first theater experience was from a decade ago when he was casted as the grumpy, old Scrooge in "A Christmas Carol" for his highschool play (Saint Francis of Assissi School). Not more than 2 years later, he again experienced being in the theatrical stage, joining the cast for "A Flower Drum Song" for the Colegio de la Inmaculada Concepcion - Cebu, where he played the old, silly, loving Doctor Li. He has quieted down since then to focus on work and studies but has watched a few films and plays. A Path to Avalon will be his first production in 8 years.
CJ SEVILLE
CJ is a seasoned singer and performer but was a late bloomer when it came to theatre productions. He is a Sinulog Idol Finalist back in Season 3 of the Sinulog Idol competition series in 2012. The following year he played Don Silvestre in a production of Dalagang Bukid, A Zarzuela in 2013. A couple years later he played Benjamin Coffin III in a Creative Thespians Club production of Rent the Musical. His latest production was in 2018, where he played Elly in a 2tincans Production of Scharon Mani. He is also the CEO of Seville Builders, Inc who designs sets for theatre productions and do various other construction work. He is also part of the Board of Directors for the Creative Thespians of Cebu. The Path to Avalon - King Arthur the Musical will only add to his many various theatre endeavors.
MARK ANTHONY MAGTAJAS
Mark was born in Iligan City and raised by a Christian family. He was highly influenced by gospel music and became a church singer. At 16, he along with his musician siblings formed a band named "Renaissance". They got discovered and managed; tagged as the youngest band in town. Mark took up BS-ComDev at MSU-Main. His numerous singing contribution in the University recognized him as the Performer of the Year department awardee. After graduating, he was set to wear famous Filipino underwear brands (Nathaniel, MSE, Sundance and F/X). From then on, several modeling and pageant opportunities opened doors for him. In 2015 he flew to Cebu and pursued his acting career. His most memorable film and first in Cebu was the internationally acclaimed, Swap; with award-winning actors and film-makers: Remton Zuasola, Clanch Beleza, Mon Confiado, Chai Fonancier, RK Bagatsing, Albert Paran, Matt Daclan, Dionne Monsanto and veteran award-winning actresses, Dulcita Siroy and Ligaya Rabago, who later became his mentors. The film was also shown in Spain, China, Brazil, South-America, Belarus, Japan, Amsterdam, Finland, and Indonesia, which it won 2nd Best Picture. On the following years, international projects, 100 Yards and Almost Paradise came his way, followed by Cebuano films: Paralysis, My Lockdown Soulmate, The Briefcase, and The Breakup. Along the way, he often performed in their own restaurant. He also does event-hosting. Lately, he entered the world of vlogging and theater.
JOANA MARIE MODESTO
When it comes to the performing arts, Joana is a person who is committed and dedicated. She loves every tiny detail that makes up a theater performance, and when she genuinely loves something, she gets quite passionate about it. She first fell in love with theater because the very first theater production she joined gave ecstatic experience to a kid who was full of inhibitions. A kid who thought that she did not matter because she was just one of the friends of the lead character, and who did not have any speaking lines. She has learned to work hard to improve her skills and talents, which then gave her opportunities to be in various productions in Cebu.
She is beyond grateful to the late Madames Delia Villacastin and Telly Ampatin, because if it weren't for their beautiful and impactful direction of the very first run of Song of Bernadette, The Musical in 2008 and Ms. Mary Rose Villacastin Maghuyop on the said play's re-runs in 2017 and 2018, she would not have known how wonderful the world of theatre is. Now, she is sharing the skills and experiences she has gained along the way on the journey to The Path to Avalon.
MARY DARLENE RUSIANA
Darlene lives the life of a daring and youthful thespian. Her love for theater started at the age of eight. This interest of hers flourished throughout her high school years as she won various plays such as Annie, Sister Act, and the Sound of Music. Aside from her love in performing, she also took interest in taking photos. In fact, she once represented her school in the Division Schools Press Conference in the Photojournalism category and won first place for two years straight.
In the following years, Darlene did not stop her passion in the performing arts. The highlight in her theater career was during time when she was given the antagonist role "Mazako" in a Cebuano musical play depicting the life of San Lorenzo Ruiz. In 2019, she was also part of a Sinulog short film called "Panaad".
GEMAR PARDENILLA
Gemar is a 18 year old, senior high student in Cebu Institute Technology University. At the age of 8 she joined The Cebu Normal University Children and Youth Choir headed by Sir Niño Bañares. She started going into theater when she entered highschool, such as participating in school plays and Senakulo. She is now an active member of Santa Cecilia Youth Choir in the Archdiocesan Shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes. She is also a member of Pagdayeg Music Ministry under the Salesian Music Ministry. Pagdayeg Music Ministry was featured in “Banaag sa paglaum” The Philippine Madrigal Singers National Concert Tour here in cebu last September 30, 2022. They performed together with the Madrigal Singers in their final songs.
DAVE FERIL
If anyone is to be found spontaneously breaking into song and dance, that is definitely Dave. Being a true free spirit, he finds that there is no greater joy for him than collaborating with a good group of like-minded people who share the same interests as he does, and, enjoying the social and emotional connections he makes with individuals who are passionate with theatre and performance arts in general. He is active in Cebu's performing arts community, advocating causes through theatre and music, and when not working on his singing and songwriting skills, he drafts ideas of theatre materials that can be used on stage. Having a natural curiosity for tinkering with things, he has been part of various productions as a production technical staff, either as the part of light crew, sound crew or the backstage crew. Though not as glitzy as being the actor, these roles have given him insight as to the inner workings of a production.
DR. JAN MICHAEL LAO
Doc Jan, as we fondly call him, is an occupational health specialist by profession and a full-time medical teacher who finds joy in the performing arts. His few roles in musical theater include: Professor Dust in The Lost Anthem in 2016 and Oz in The Wizard of Oz in 2017. Being a fan of broadway, ballads, and OPM music, he does covers and livestream sessions from time to time in his own facebook page and performs during private events of family and friends. His ultimate dream is to be able to perform internationally whether as a theater or a solo artist.
His role as Merlin in The Path to Avalon is his first lead role in a musical.